Cody has decided that if Mallory’s gonna be a bitch about this whole pretend marriage thing, then he’s going all out to make this exercise as unpleasant as possible. 
But letting Mallory know just how he puts his “fertile imagination” to use? That’s being a little crass.
Imag-rimony
If Cody is the 21st century analogue of Les, it stands to reason that we need to pair him with a blond chick who despises him. Meet Mallory Brooks, Cody’s own Cindy Summers. 
Her initial Edward Munch-ian horror at being paired with the bespectacled geek quickly gives way to utter disdain.
Shoe Nuff
I’d give the benefit of the doubt here, and say that Harry is deliberately setting up a joke here, rather than relating a true story. I mean, a group of high-schoolers who are “physically incapable of starting out on the same foot together” would probably be too stupid to play instruments. The throwaway first panel, though, undermines the joke premise by depicting a band member actually wearing a two-toned pair of marching shoes. Maybe it’s product placement.
Schlock Formation
“Harry, while you’re here shuffling around my office and taking up my time, do feel free to go through my file cabinets.”
How could Harry come up with a formation that spelled “BUY BAND CANDY” “with only nine kids in the band“? Welcome to the intersection of unfunny and illogical.
Gum and Bugle
Here is a link to today’s hilarity.
“With all of those instruments swinging around…people will be losing arms teeth! I meant teeth! Dammit! Get a prosthesis already! Embezzle the band fund if you have to!”
Son of Stuck Funky 
